Two-year-old Kiara Benjatschek is in good condition as she recuperates at BC Children’s Hospital.

Kiara, who was found unresponsive floating in her Surrey family’s backyard pool Monday, is one of three people found unconscious in outdoor pools in Surrey over the past three days, and the only one to survive.

Kiara was rescued by a family friend and the B.C. Ambulance Service, who responded to an emergency call on the 9600-block of 129th Street shortly after noon Monday.

On Tuesday, Kiara’s family thanked paramedics as well as the family friend who knew CPR and helped save her life, according a release from the hospital.

News of her recovery follows two drowning deaths in Surrey stemming from an accident on Sunday evening.

Warina Nissan, a grandmother who risked her life to save her 20-month-old grandson, after he fell into an apartment complex pool, died Monday around noon.

The 51-year-old non-swimmer and her grandson, Ivan Yousif, were found in the pool at the five-building Evergreen Apartments complex Sunday. The toddler died later that night at Royal Columbian Hospital, while his grandmother remained in critical condition before succumbing to her injuries Monday.

Their names were released Tuesday by the BC Coroners Service.

The pair appeared to have been in the water for an extended amount of time before they were found. Bystanders pulled them out and attempted to revive them before police and ambulance arrived.

Resident Zelba Lucinia said the pool had been open for less than a week. She saw the paramedics performing CPR on the victims.

“It’s so sad,” she said.

The accident has prompted Surrey RCMP to issue a reminder for vigilance around the water as the weather heats up.

“This unimaginable tragedy is a reminder to the public to always be mindful of young persons’ vulnerability around bodies of water,” said Sgt. Drew Grainger. “It is also a reminder for us as parents or guardians to have an awareness of our own abilities as lifesavers.”

mvinkinlee@vancouversun.com

mravindran@vancouversun.com

With files from Mike Hager and the Surrey Now

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Toddler is only survivor after pool accidents claim lives of grandmother and grandson

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